Training the Next Generation

“Earn while you learn.” It’s one of the untold stories of the labor movement: State-of-the-art union apprenticeship programs turn out some of the best-trained workers anywhere. And instead of graduating in debt and with uncertain prospects for work, journeymen trades workers have a direct line to a career with good pay, benefits, and job satisfaction. In this section we report on those union training programs.

JobCorps crew leaves mark on Oregon Labor Center

Oregon AFL-CIO’s Portland headquarters got a spruce-up in early April thanks to a paint crew from Timber Lake Job Corps in Estacada.

Biden cabinet official drops by UA Local 290

U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited Oregon for a whirlwind two-day tour of training programs Feb. 22-23.

Handcuffs to Hardhats

A new program in Oregon gives women prisoners a chance to prove themselves in a skilled trade and enter promising career upon release.

They got a free education. Now they get a free degree.

Mt. Hood Community College now offers associates degrees to journeymen sheet metal workers.

A place to call their own

At their massive training center in Canby, operating engineers are skilling up and readying the next generation.

For Portland-area plumbers and fitters, no more night school

A switch to daytime classes is leading to dramatic gains at the Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 training center in Tualatin.

Tradeswomen fair is back

NOT JUST FOR MEN: Over 2,000 students and hundreds of job seeking adults attended the Oregon Tradeswomen career fair, back after the pandemic.

Apprentice tells her story at the Capitol

Culture change in construction is real, and it’s happening, Local 290 member Kasey Finegan told lawmakers and their staffmembers.

Handcuffs to hardhats?

Three locals are launching a pre-apprenticeship program for inmates in the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

UA Local 290 apprentices compete

Apprentices at the UA Local 290 Training Center square off in four specialties: HVAC, plumbing, steamfitting, and welding.

Local 555 trailer stolen

Instructors at Cement Masons Local 555 training center are looking for a trailer. Their trailer.

AFSCME behavioral health apprenticeship nets federal funding

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and former Rep. Kurt Schrader requested the funding through the federal government spending bill Congress approved in December.

Drug counselor apprenticeship program launches, with BOLI support

The AFSCME-supported apprenticeship helps workers become Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) through on-the-job training and classroom education.

Apprenticeship training model expands to mental health workers

Local union members who work in mental health and addiction treatment are enrolling in on-the-job, union-supported workforce training.

Another class of tradeswomen, ready to start

The most recent group of Oregon Tradeswomen pre-apprentices graduated Sept. 22, and another class begins Oct. 18.

Bonamici touts apprenticeship win in new law

Clean energy projects taking advantage of tax credits will have to pay prevailing wage and employ apprentices.

Utility line workers compete at Lineman Rodeo

The contest tests utility line workers for speed, safety and trade skills, and raises money for the Oregon Burn Center.

Grant from Google to support women in the trades

Oregon Tradeswomen, the nonprofit that supports women entering the building trades, received $150,000 in grant funding from Google.

Bricklayers Local 1 apprentices place in Western Region contest

Bricklayers Local 1 apprentices are some of the best in the West, according to the 2022 Western region apprenticeship contest.

Portland Sheet Metal Institute holds apprentice competition

Sheet Metal Institute in Portland was the host this month of the 2022 Northwest Regional Sheet Metal Apprentice Competition.

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Training the Next Generation

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